News

Portola Valley: Deer carcass found in Westridge driveway

A deer carcass was found Friday morning (April 24) in a driveway of a home in the 1100 block of Westridge Drive in Portola Valley, the Sheriff's Office reported. Deputies said they think the deer was killed by a mountain lion.

Here are tips for what to do if you see a mountain lion:

● Do not approach it, especially one that is feeding or with offspring. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.

● Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active  dawn, dusk, and at night.

● Keep a close watch on small children.

● If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects.. Pick up small children.

Mountain lions are expanding their territory. Each male eventually "owns" a large territory which it will defend, forcing younger ones to seek new territory. Without any natural predators, the lion population will continue to grow, and that will be unsustainable, because they'll be headed into urban areas (keep your dogs, cats and young kids indoors!). Eventually hunters will need to cull the lion population. That's not pleasant, but a reality ...........